Here's H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche on the benefits of doing tshog on the 10th day each month:

Similarly, there are special benefits accruing to us from the observing of the monthly Pujas on each of the Tenth day great festivals in the order given above. For example, those evil spirits which cause the disease will be pacified. Our length of life, virtue and wealth will increases; and our happiness of mind, quick encourage, and brilliance of personality will likewise increase. Both human beings and non human spirit will gather under our power; our dominion and prosperity will increase; and the local deities and the guardian spirits will heed us as if they are our servants. The harm and injury caused by the Lord of Death and the eight groups of spirits will be mitigated. Our moral precepts will be completely purified and our wisdom will radiate into every area. The dangers due to unfavorable planets and stars, unlucky days, enemies and thieves will no longer threaten us; good fortune and well being will increase everywhere at home and abroad. The mischief due to earth-spirits (sa-bdag), Nagas, and fierce subterranean beings (gNyan) will likewise no longer threaten us; and the Dharma Protectors and the Guardians will accomplish those deeds with which they are charged. The damaged caused by are hindrances, enemies, and evil spirits will be ameliorated; and will gather under our power whatever we desire. Diseases which cause the body to waste away will be cleansed; bodily health and happiness of mind for ourselves as well as our friends and relatives will increase; and we will obtain whatever object we contemplate. Unlucky periods among the days, months and years, as well as ill omen generally, will be mitigated; and we will fully recover whatever dominion and good fortune we may have lost. Evil spirits, who cause diseases, such as the Bhutas and the eight groups of spirits, as well as the conditions of untimely death will likewise be pacified. We shall be freed from the ill effects of contagious magic (gtad), the disabling effects of mantras which impair the function of the intellect (sel) and which disturb our peace of mind (byad-kha), as well as elemental spirits evoked to harm us by causing disease or calamity (rbod-gtong). Indeed, our own body will become as strong as diamond. Hypocritical deeds in violation of our precepts, such as any defect or default of the three types of vows, as well as all transgressions of the samaya vows, will be cleansed; and our mind will become pure. Ultimately death and other accidental disasters will not arise, and immediately upon passing from this life we shall be reborn in the presence of the Guru Himself in the Realm of Lotus Light, Padmaprabhaksetra, (Padma od zhing). Also, from the practice of reciting the prayers in their proper order particularly at the time of performing Puja, we shall become as one who possesses infinite benefits; our accumulated merit shall be inexhaustible.

According to the Lama Sang-du (bLa ma gSang-dus): “On the Tenth Day of the monkey month of the monkey year: And on all the Tenth Days of the other months, my manifestations will emanate throughout Jumbudvipa in particular; and I shall bestow siddhis both ordinary and supreme. As for those who perform saddhana of the Guru throughout their entire life. If they persist in this, then at the time of passing from this present life, they will be absorbed into my own heart centre.” According to the Treasure tradition (gter- lung) of Ratna Lingpa: “When who remember me, as if carrying a pebble in their packet as a reminder, They and I shall indeed be inseparable To My sons, my disciplines, the king and ministers of Tibet. On the Tenth Day of each month, I myself will appear: this I promise. I, Padmasambhava, would never deceive others.” According to the zhal-dam Ser-treng (Zhal-gdams gser-phreng): I, Urgyen, particularly on the Tenth Day which is the Great Festival, Will come to the snowy land of Tibet, Riding upon the rays of sun and moon, The rainbow, the mists or rain; And shall remove all obstacles impeding, my devoted disciples. Upon each I shall bestow the four consecrations which they desire. This is my promise and Padma would never deceive anyone. If one who is devoted to me always observes the puja on the Tenth Day. By virtue of practicing the saddhana according to my instructions, He will realize the well being of the kingdom.”

He confirmed these adamantine verses, which surely speak the truth, many times and not one time only. He would never deceive those disciples appearing in later times who believe in His promise with all their heart. With ever increasing effort may they spread widely these festivals which are always productive of benefits and happiness in one’s present life and in all future life. May this festival of benefit and joy be always observed everywhere, together with the Dharma in the presence of those who desire liberation. Similarly, may these glad tidings be displayed like a beautiful young maiden attractively be jeweled and graced with well-explained excellent meanings for every word.

I would ask myself: is it better to not do the tsog at all or do it on the next, or previous, day? (Or even a few days earlier or later)

For some people that is what it comes down to. Since tsog has to do with the renewing and mending of samaya then my opinion is that it is better to do it whenever the opportunity arises rather than obsessing with the exact date to do it.

OK, I must be missing something out here... How can there be an astrological reason for fretting over the 10th and 25th? Did Guru Rinpoche rely on the Gregorian calendar in the astrological system he used?

Dharmaswede wrote:OK, I must be missing something out here... How can there be an astrological reason for fretting over the 10th and 25th? Did Guru Rinpoche rely on the Gregorian calendar in the astrological system he used?

Best,

Jens

It's the 10th and 25th of the lunar month, Jens. The quarter and 3/4 moon.

Dharmaswede wrote:OK, I must be missing something out here... How can there be an astrological reason for fretting over the 10th and 25th? Did Guru Rinpoche rely on the Gregorian calendar in the astrological system he used?

Best,

Jens

It's the 10th and 25th of the lunar month, Jens. The quarter and 3/4 moon.

For all those interested for the exact dates cf here viewtopic.php?f=40&t=1349&start=60&hilit=calender for a free electronic tibetan calender download kindly supplied by kirtu and a small pocket calender for 2012 that I slapped together with the main days outlined on it.

"According to Berzin, Serkong Rinpoche said it worked fine with following the dates in the Gregorian calendar"

Personally, I don't buy this. I believe that there is something special about the outer (i.e., outer world) and inner (tsa, lung, thigle) astrology of these two lunar days, remembering that the outer and inner elements are interdependent and mirror each other.

I agree with Pemachopel. Tibetan astrology is based on the Tantras, and especially on the Kalachakra Tantra, and the relationship of outer world--including "planets" or astrological bodies (the moon, the sun)-and our inner world. Of course, there are two major astrological systems in Tibet, so.......

Though I think they mostly agree?

May any merit generated by on-line discussionBe dedicated to the Ultimate Benefit of All Sentient Beings.

gregkavarnos wrote:For all those interested for the exact dates cf here http://dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f= ... t=calender for a free electronic tibetan calender download kindly supplied by kirtu and a small pocket calender for 2012 that I slapped together with the main days outlined on it.

Thank you, Greg. Do you know what part of the world these days are calculated for?

Yudron wrote:I have multiple personalities--one loves unquestioning extreme traditionalism, and one loves science, and practicality. There are probably more, too. Today I can't imagine any way the location of the moon in relation to the earth could impact one's practice. But, tomorrow is the full moon and I need to plan tsog!

The moon in relation to the earth not so important. The sun and moon of ida and pingala, very important. The tsog has significance in relation to the vajra body.

Yudron wrote:I have multiple personalities--one loves unquestioning extreme traditionalism, and one loves science, and practicality. There are probably more, too. Today I can't imagine any way the location of the moon in relation to the earth could impact one's practice. But, tomorrow is the full moon and I need to plan tsog!

The moon in relation to the earth not so important. The sun and moon of ida and pingala, very important. The tsog has significance in relation to the vajra body.

I don't know what ida and pingala are.

So, how does the moon's position in relation to us effect the vajra body? This is just a general skepticism about astrology talking. Not a hostile skepticism... it's jusr the whole things just does not ring true to me.

gregkavarnos wrote:For all those interested for the exact dates cf here viewtopic.php?f=40&t=1349&start=60&hilit=calender for a free electronic tibetan calender download kindly supplied by kirtu and a small pocket calender for 2012 that I slapped together with the main days outlined on it.

Thank you, Greg. Do you know what part of the world these days are calculated for?

For the US.If you are running windows vista there is a moon calender gadget which you can download for free that gives phases based on your location.

Yudron wrote:I have multiple personalities--one loves unquestioning extreme traditionalism, and one loves science, and practicality. There are probably more, too. Today I can't imagine any way the location of the moon in relation to the earth could impact one's practice. But, tomorrow is the full moon and I need to plan tsog!

The moon in relation to the earth not so important. The sun and moon of ida and pingala, very important. The tsog has significance in relation to the vajra body.

I don't know what ida and pingala are.

So, how does the moon's position in relation to us effect the vajra body? This is just a general skepticism about astrology talking. Not a hostile skepticism... it's jusr the whole things just does not ring true to me.

I am sorry, I shouldn't have been so opaque. Ida and pingala are the nadis respectively on the left and right of the central channel sushumna. Ida is the moon, pingala the sun. It is not that the external sun and moon affect the internal channels (though they do-- after all the moon affects such gross things as tides, and the sun provides most energy that life on earth depends on), but rather that these components in the subtle body relate to the external sun and moon like a harmonic or a fractal. At certain points in the month, energies course through various points in the body and make for powerful times to practice.

Astrology does not imply some sort of causality at a distance, but rather indicates a personal gestalt that is made evident by certain planetary and stellar markers.

pemachophel wrote:"According to Berzin, Serkong Rinpoche said it worked fine with following the dates in the Gregorian calendar"

Personally, I don't buy this. I believe that there is something special about the outer (i.e., outer world) and inner (tsa, lung, thigle) astrology of these two lunar days, remembering that the outer and inner elements are interdependent and mirror each other.

I think he meant something along the lines of "if you follow the Gregorian calendar you maintain the minimum requirement, but you do not get the full benefit". In the light of what has been written in this thread, and in terms of what the tradition asserts, I draw a conclusion that is similar to yours but also accepts Serkong Rinpoche's position (provided I have understood him correctly, as above).